Lower Your Risk

Take proactive steps to reduce your risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

LOSE THE WEIGHT. Maintaining an appropriate body weight range is the No. 1 thing you can do to avoid diabetes. About 85 percent of people who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese. Talk to your doctor about developing a realistic plan to lose weight.

DON’T SMOKE. This seems like a no-brainer, but there are still people who think they can do other things to improve their health without giving up cigarettes. Don’t kid yourself. Smoking raises your blood pressure and your bad cholesterol, damages your lungs and reduces the amount of oxygen needed by your organs to function normally. Because people with diabetes are already at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, smoking is especially bad for them.

BY JOANN GUIDRY

Charitable organizations that have benefited from Big Hammock Race Series races include: The Cornerstone School’s Tuition Assistance Program; United Way of Marion County’s ReadingPals program and health programs; the YMCA scholarship fund; Boys and Girls Club of Marion County; Young Life of Marion County; youth running programs and scholarships; National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI) Florida and NAMI Marion County; Veterans Memorial Park; and the American Cancer Society’s We Can Weekend.

“Participating in the BHRS is a great way to improve your physical fitness and give back to the community at the same time,” says Karen Donnelly, co-founder of the series. “Both are good for the heart.”

It was concern about Ocala/Marion County’s poor health statistics that inspired Donnelly and co-founder Tina Banner, both avid runners, to establish the BHRS. They have incorporated existing and newly created races into the innovative series. A major requirement is that all the races have a charitable connection. The initial season featured seven races, while season two has eight.

“Our mission from the beginning has been for the BHRS to be a community health initiative,” says Donnelly. “We want to share the joy of running and walking as a fun family activity. Families who participate in the BHRS are developing lifelong healthy habits. And the races are great social events where people make wonderful connections, some that last a lifetime.”

Donnelly notes that “since its inception, the BHRS has had great sponsors and has been heavily promoted.” And that in turn has reaped benefits for the races and their charities.

“We looked at the number of participants in the races prior to and after being part of the BHRS,” says Donnelly. “And the numbers show that the BHRS is driving new participants to these races. More participants means more entry fee money, which translates to more money going to community charities. The first season of the BHRS accounted for approximately $29,423 in total race entry fees from BHRS participants in the seven races. That additional money in race earnings means there is more to give to the charities. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

In addition to presenting sponsor Prime Mortgage Group, other BHRS sponsors are Ocala Style and Healthy Living magazines, Plaid Frog Creative Resources, United Way of Marion County, Gateway Bank of Central Florida, Day & Day PA and the City of Ocala. Here’s a look at some of the races and the impact the BHRS has had on them and their charities.